Margaret Scobie

Bush Medicine Leaves  |  75h x 50w  |  RK623

Not framed or stretched  |  Acrylic on canvas

Margaret Scobie was born in 1948 at Woola Downs, she is an Anmatyerre woman from the Utopia region in Central Australia. Her mother was siblings to the famous Petyarre sisters.

Margaret is well known for her “Bush Medicine Leaves” paintings - they are vibrant, full of colour and give you the impression of moving leaves in the desert. Other subjects she paints include: the Honey Ant and Mountain Devil, although these are not as popular as her Bush Medicine Leaves. The Bush Medicine Leaves depict the leaves of particular plants which Aboriginal women collect from the Utopia region in Central Australia. The leaves contain medicinal properties and are used for traditional bush medicine. The leaves are boiled and Kangaroo resin added and made into a paste. This is then used to treat wounds, cuts, boils and rashes. This traditional medicine is paid homage during Awelye ceremonies.

Margaret is a self-representing and independent artist and you can often find her at the local Sunday markets with her paintings or outside of the hospital lawns. Whilst some galleries do have her artworks, for the most part, she is in control of her artwork, painting and clientele.